On behalf of the Somerset Teachers' Association I am writing to express our disappointment with the statements made by Somerset Berkley Regional School Committee Chairman Richard Peirce at a public hearing.

On behalf of the Somerset Teachers’ Association I am writing to express our disappointment with the statements made by Somerset Berkley Regional School Committee Chairman Richard Peirce at a public hearing.

On March 25, Mr. Peirce was paraphrased stating that “the budget reflects a 0 percent increase for teachers and other staff.” The STA and town are currently in contract negotiations, and this statement was made prior to any monetary discussions at the bargaining table. Mr. Peirce clearly violated our collective bargaining ground rules.

The teachers are completely aware of and sympathetic to the fiscal realities faced by the town of Somerset. In fact, many of our members are long-term residents of the town, as well as alumni of our school system.

However, it undermines our ability to craft an agreement that is beneficial to the town and its educators when Mr. Peirce seems to have his mind made up and makes inflammatory statements absent of any context in a public forum.

We feel that by making this statement, Mr. Peirce and the school committees are no longer bargaining in good faith regarding the issue at hand.

We are eager to hold discussions to meet the best interests of the students and town, but do not appreciate statements being made that mislead or incite our members prior to negotiations. Thus, we hope to continue the negotiation processes as attended with open and honest dialogue between the Somerset Teachers’ Association and the school committees.

David Ashley

President, Somerset Teachers’ Association

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